Current Affairs - Defence - Discussion

Kerala hosted the fifth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026, which began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram. The exercise involves approximately 240 personnel, with around 120 soldiers each from the Indian Army and the Australian Army. Its main objective is to improve interoperability, jointmanship and operational coordination between the two forces. The training focuses on joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal environments under a United Nations mandate. Activities include tactical drills, surveillance, reconnaissance, protection of vital installations and humanitarian assistance. New Zealand also participated with an observer team for the first time.